Women in Cyber: Zaina Mukhtar

In celebration of Women's History Month, we're spotlighting the incredible women of Cobalt throughout March. Each feature will share their unique cybersecurity journeys, insights, and career lessons they have learned.

How long have you been working in cybersecurity? How did you get started in the field? 

I've been in cybersecurity for about two years since joining Cobalt, and in the tech industry for around five years. My background in hiring engineering leaders has given me a deep understanding of technical challenges, which I now apply to helping security organizations find effective solutions. I focus on solving their problems and making their lives easier with relevant security strategies.

What has been the greatest reward of your career? What do you love most about your job? 

The greatest reward of my career so far—and hopefully for years to come—has been the privilege of working alongside incredibly talented and humble people. The opportunity to make mistakes, learn from them, and tackle complex challenges to create a meaningful impact is something I truly value. In my previous role, I helped engineering professionals land their dream jobs. Now, I focus on helping security organizations find the right solutions to empower their teams and achieve their goals.

What has been the greatest challenge you faced in your career? 

The greatest challenge in my career so far has been navigating the emotional ups and downs of cybersecurity sales, where constant rejection is part of the process. What I truly appreciate are the genuine conversations with security leaders—ones that go beyond transactions and foster collaboration and transparency. It’s rewarding when we can align on objectives, but if we don’t, that’s okay too—honesty is what matters most.

What impact has female mentorship had on your life? Was the impact in a personal or professional setting? 

I believe female mentorship in the tech and cybersecurity industries is crucial, especially given the underrepresentation of women in these fields. I’m grateful to be surrounded by incredible women—both personally and professionally—who inspire me to be the best version of myself, take risks, and dream big. There are no limits to what we can achieve, as long as we're willing to put in the work.

What is your advice to young female professionals coming into the workforce or into cybersecurity? 

Be genuine and don't be afraid to ask for help or ask questions about topics you might not fully understand, you don't know what you don't know. Network and connect with other female professionals in the security space but you will always be your own best advocate!

What’s your biggest inspiration or motivator when you are down? 

I lean on my family and friends to hype me up when I'm down (obviously they just know what to do/say to make me feel better). I always love planning my next trip to Disney vacation or an International trip (Last year I went to Greece, Amsterdam, Bali and Puerto Vallarta –so much fun!) Traveling will always be a motivator for me. Traveling is good for the soul.

Learn More About Zaina 

What are your favorite hobbies?

I love exploring new restaurants, coffee shops, and local wineries.

Who are your favorite musical artists? 

There are so many, it depends on the vibe and my mood: T-Pain (I recently saw him at BottleRock last year), Odeza, ZHU, Ellie Goulding, Tate McRae, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, Empire of the Sun, Sabrina Carpenter, and Red Letter Tribe.